Fire department receives grant
Published 10:54 am Monday, September 10, 2018
- Johnny and Claudia Griffin, along with their granddaughter Charlie Rascoe (front) pose with a $2,500 check presented to the Lewiston-Woodville Volunteer Fire Department from the Monsanto Fund. Pictured are (back, from left) General Faison, President, LWVFD; Harris Williams, Assistant Chief, LWVFD; and Tallie Faison, Chief, LWVFD. The grant funds will assist in the purchase of a new fire truck. | Contributed Photo
LEWISTON-WOODVILLE – Its purpose is to help farmers take care of each other.
Ten years ago, American chemical giant Monsanto founded the Monsanto Fund, and since then has awarded more than $29 million to over 8,000 organizations from local food banks, to community centers, to fire and EMS workers through a program they call, ‘Rooting for Rural’. In 2018 alone, they have given out a total of $3 million to date.
“Farmers play a pivotal role in rural communities and through their commitment to the Grow Communities program we are able to provide the monetary support these non-profits need to make an impact,” said Al Mitchell, president of the Monsanto Fund. “We’re proud to play a part in helping these rural communities grow and thrive.”
Recently, one Bertie County non-profit benefited from this generosity in the form of a $2,500 grant to the Lewiston-Woodville Volunteer Fire Department.
It came thanks to the recommendation of local farmers Johnny and Claudia Griffin of Lewiston.
“The Griffins have always shown faithfulness and unwavering support for our fire department,” said LWVFD spokesman Anthony Peele. “We the members, as well as the families within the fire district thank them for their support. This $2,500 grant will go towards a new fire truck that we hope to purchase in the very near future.”
Farmers know best where a contribution will make the biggest impact in their communities,” Mitchell continued. “That’s why we’ve made the Grow Communities enrollment process simple and easy as possible. Its a million tiny memories and bits of inherited knowledge created and passed down for generations. It’s the watchful eye of volunteer firefighters, and the sense of family that comes from knowing your neighbors for a lifetime. Grow Communities is endowed to help keep farmer’s communities thriving.”
In the past, farmers have directed the funds to supporting agriculture youth organizations, purchasing classroom supplies, supplying food and essentials for the needy and acquiring lifesaving emergency response equipment to make farm life that much safer.